Paperwork released by the Natrona County Circuit Court has outlined details in a case, where a man is accused of intentionally trying to hit someone with his vehicle. Witness reports say that the incident had been preceded by an argument over dog feces.
Dustin Chase, age 33, was listed as being in custody Thursday morning. This after being given formal charges and a $25,000 cash or surety bond amount, in Circuit Court. Chase faces a felony charge of aggravated assault.
Police say, in an affidavit filed in Circuit Court, that Chase was arrested for attempting to cause serious bodily injury to another recklessly, while using a vehicle. The police affidavit describes the vehicle as a “deadly weapon.”
Shortly before 5:00 pm on Friday, May 22, the affidavit confirms that Casper Police Department Animal Protection Officers were on the 200 block of East K Street for an unrelated call. While investigating, the Animal Protection Officers report witnessing a verbal altercation between Chase and another individual. Witnesses say that the argument was over cleaning up after dogs.
The affidavit describes one witness as saying that Chase stated “have some g*****ed respect your dog is s****ing all over my yard,” and then saying “well I ought to smack that mouth off you.”
Reporting parties and witnesses say that Chase then got into a Ford Taurus, drove northbound, make a U-Turn, speed up to approximately 20 miles per hour, and swerved up onto the curb. Witnesses on scene said the vehicle nearly missed the accuser.
Animal Protection Officers are cited in the affidavit as witnessing the incident said they did not know if Chase was directly aiming at the accuser, but confirmed that the Taurus came close enough to the accuser, that the accuser could reach out and touch the vehicle.
Chase was subsequently arrested and transported to the Natrona County Detention Center.
All of those cited or arrested are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. Charges are subject to change following official filings from the Natrona County District Attorney’s Office.